U.S. patent number 11,378,050 [Application Number 17/050,032] was granted by the patent office on 2022-07-05 for wheeled vehicle provided with an automatic stop function for stopping the heat engine and method for optimizing stoppage conditions of such a vehicle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to MANITOU BF. The grantee listed for this patent is MANITOU BF. Invention is credited to Fabrice Hubert.
United States Patent |
11,378,050 |
Hubert |
July 5, 2022 |
Wheeled vehicle provided with an automatic stop function for
stopping the heat engine and method for optimizing stoppage
conditions of such a vehicle
Abstract
The invention relates to a wheeled vehicle (1) comprising: a
chassis (2) carrying an engine (4), a starter (5) of the engine and
a device for actuating said starter (5), a control unit, and an
activatable/deactivatable device for energising the control unit,
said vehicle (1) having an economical operating mode in which, in
the activated state of the energising device, the control unit is
designed to allow the motor (4) to be stopped without actuation of
the energising device, said stoppage being called energised
stoppage of the engine (4). The vehicle (1) comprises a memory for
storing data relating to the number of starts of the engine (4) and
the control unit is designed to allow or prohibit the energised
stoppage of the engine (4), in the economical operating mode,
according to said stored data.
Inventors: |
Hubert; Fabrice (Ancenis,
FR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MANITOU BF |
Ancenis |
N/A |
FR |
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|
Assignee: |
MANITOU BF (Ancenis,
FR)
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Family
ID: |
1000006412553 |
Appl.
No.: |
17/050,032 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2019 |
PCT
Filed: |
April 23, 2019 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/FR2019/050960 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
October 23, 2020 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2019/207247 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
October 31, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20210254592 A1 |
Aug 19, 2021 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Apr 26, 2018 [FR] |
|
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1853677 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B66F
11/046 (20130101); F02B 63/042 (20130101); F02N
11/0803 (20130101); B66F 17/006 (20130101); F02N
11/084 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F02N
11/08 (20060101); B66F 11/04 (20060101); B66F
17/00 (20060101); F02B 63/04 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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107709114 |
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Feb 2018 |
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CN |
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102009018974 |
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Oct 2010 |
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DE |
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1526276 |
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Apr 2005 |
|
EP |
|
Other References
CN Office Action dated Nov. 24, 2021. cited by applicant .
International Search Report dated Jul. 25, 2019. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Staubach; Carl C
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ipsilon USA, LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A wheeled vehicle comprising a chassis, a heat engine borne by
said chassis, a starter of said engine and at least one member for
actuating said starter, a control unit, a member for energizing at
least the control unit, said energizing member being able to switch
from an active state to an inactive state and vice versa, said
vehicle comprising an economical operating mode in which, in the
activated state of the energizing member and in the started state
of the engine, the control unit is configured to allow the engine
to be stopped automatically without actuation of the energizing
member, said stopping being called energized stopping of the
engine, wherein the wheeled vehicle comprises a memory for storing
data relating to the number of starts of the heat engine of the
vehicle and in that the control unit is configured to, in the
economical operating mode of the vehicle, allow or prohibit the
energized stopping of the engine at least according to said stored
data, wherein the wheeled vehicle comprises the memory for storing
each time value relating to the elapsed energized time between two
successive starts of the heat engine and in that the control unit
is configured to, n being an integer number greater than or equal
to 1, calculate the sum of the last n stored time values with the
time value relating to the elapsed energized time since the current
start, compare said calculated value with a predetermined threshold
value, and, allow the energized stopping of the engine at least
according to the result of the comparison.
2. The wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the
economical operating mode, the control unit is configured to, in
the energized stopped state of the engine, start the engine without
actuation of the at least one member for actuating the starter.
3. The wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheeled
vehicle comprises the memory for storing data relating to the
elapsed energized time T of the vehicle since it was put into
service, said energizing of the vehicle corresponding to the active
state of the energizing member, and in that the control unit is
configured to, in the economical operating mode of the vehicle,
allow or prohibit the energized stopping of the engine at least
according to said stored data.
4. The wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the control
unit is configured to: calculate the number D of starts of the
vehicle since it was put into service over the elapsed energized
time T of the vehicle since it was put into service, compare the
result of the calculation with a stored predetermined threshold
value, and allow the energized stopping of the engine at least when
the result of the calculation is below the stored predetermined
threshold value.
5. The wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
energizing member of the vehicle is a key disposed on the chassis,
this key being a rotary key that can switch by rotation from an
inactive state to an active state and vice versa.
6. The wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chassis
is equipped with a control station and in that the or at least one
of the members for actuating the starter is formed by a start
button with which said station is equipped.
7. The wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle
is a cherry picker comprising: in addition to the chassis bearing
said heat engine, a platform, means for lifting the platform
relative to the chassis, said lifting means comprising at least one
telescopic or non-telescopic lifting arm disposed between a zone of
connection to the platform and the chassis and mounted to be
movable using the heat engine between a high position and a low
position, a control console borne by said platform and equipped at
least with a control for the lifting means, a member for
activating/deactivating at least the control of the lifting means,
said activating/deactivating member being mounted to be movable
between an inactive position, in which at least the control of the
lifting means is deactivated and an active position in which at
least the control of the lifting means is activated, said
activating/deactivating member being equipped with means for return
to the inactive position, and being able to switch from the
inactive position to the active position under the action of a
thrust exerted on said activating/deactivating member against the
return means, and an indicator of the active/inactive position of
the activating/deactivating member, and in that the control unit is
configured to control the lifting means according at least to the
data supplied by said control console, and in that said cherry
picker has two configurations, namely a transport configuration and
a working configuration, said cherry picker being in transport
configuration in the low position of the arm and retracted position
of the arm in the case of a telescopic arm, and in that, in the
working configuration of the cherry picker, and in the economical
operating mode, the control unit is configured to, in the
authorized state of energized stopping of the engine, control the
energized stopping of the heat engine at least according to the
data supplied by said indicator of the active/inactive position of
the member for activating/deactivating at least the control of the
lifting means.
8. The wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein, in the
working configuration of the cherry picker and in the economical
operating mode, in the energized stopped state of the heat engine,
the control unit is configured to control the starting of the heat
engine using the activating/deactivating member of at least the
control of the lifting means, by switching of the
activating/deactivating member from the inactive position to the
active position, without actuation of the member or members for
actuating the starter.
9. The wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control
unit comprises a presence determination module configured to
determine the presence or absence state of a person on the platform
according to data supplied by the control console and in that, in
the working configuration of the cherry picker, in the economical
operating mode, the control unit is configured to, in the
authorized state of energized stopping of the engine, control the
energized stopping of the heat engine at least according to said
state determined by the presence determination module.
10. The wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle
comprises an activatable/deactivatable member for controlling the
cold starting of the heat engine and a module for determining the
activated/deactivated state of said control member, this control
member being able to be activated by manual actuation, and being
able to be deactivated automatically, and in that, in the
economical operating mode, the control unit is configured to, in
the authorized state of energized stopping of the engine, control
the energized stopping of the heat engine at least according to the
activated/deactivated state of said cold start control member
determined by said module.
11. The wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle
comprises at least one electricity generator, and a module for
determining the activated/deactivated state of said electricity
generator and in that, in the economical operating mode, the
control unit is configured to, in the authorized state of energized
stopping of the engine, control the energized stopping of the heat
engine at least according to the activated/deactivated state of the
electricity generator determined by said module.
12. The wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
economical operating mode is an activatable/deactivatable mode and
in that the vehicle comprises a member for activating and/or
deactivating said mode.
13. A method for optimizing the stopping conditions of a wheeled
vehicle comprising a chassis, a heat engine borne by said chassis,
a starter of said engine and at least one member for actuating said
starter, a control unit, a member for energizing at least the
control unit, said energizing member being able to switch from an
active state to an inactive state and vice versa, said vehicle
comprising, in the activated state of the energizing member, and in
the started state of the engine, an economical operating mode in
which the control unit is configured to allow the engine to be
stopped automatically without actuation of the energizing member,
said stopping being called energized stopping of the engine,
wherein the method comprises a step of storing of the data relating
to the number of starts of the engine of the vehicle, and in that
the energized stopping of the engine is authorized at least
according to said stored data.
14. The method for optimizing the stopping conditions of a wheeled
vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the method comprises a step
of storing of each time value relating to the elapsed energized
time between two successive starts of the heat engine, a step of
calculation of the sum of last n stored time values with the time
value relating to the elapsed energized time since the current
start, n being an integer number greater than or equal to 1, a step
of comparison of said calculated value with a predefined threshold
value, the energized stopping of the engine being authorized at
least according to the results of the comparison.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a National Phase of PCT/FR2019/050960 filed on
Apr. 23, 2019 which claims the benefit of priority from French
Patent Application No. 18 53677, filed on Apr. 26, 2018, the
entirety of which are incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a wheeled vehicle equipped with an
automatic heat engine stop functionality and a method for
optimizing the stopping conditions of such a vehicle.
It relates more particularly to a wheeled vehicle comprising: a
chassis, a heat engine borne by said chassis, a starter of said
engine and at least one member for actuating said starter, a
control unit, a member for energizing at least the control unit,
said energizing member being able to switch from an active state to
an inactive state and vice versa, said vehicle comprising a
so-called economical operating mode in which, in the activated
state of the energizing member and in the started state of the
engine, the control unit is configured to allow the engine to be
stopped automatically, that is to say without actuation of the
energizing member, said stopping being called energized stopping of
the engine.
PRIOR ART
Vehicles equipped with a functionality for automatically stopping
and subsequently starting or restarting the engine, commonly
referred to as "STOP AND START", are well known to those skilled in
this art.
The automatic stopping and subsequent starting of the engine are
conditioned on criteria which can be linked to the behavior of the
driver and to the actions that he or she undertakes and/or to
intrinsic parameters linked to the state of the vehicle. The result
of such a functionality for automatically stopping and subsequently
starting the engine is a reduction of the total cost of ownership
(TCO) and, when the vehicle is stopped, a reduction of fuel
consumption. However, these successive stops and starts are likely
to create premature wear of the engine and of the associated
starter.
AIM AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aim of the invention is to propose a wheeled vehicle whose
design makes it possible to automatically stop and start the engine
of said vehicle while limiting the risks of premature damage to the
engine and to the associated starter.
To this end, the subject of the invention is a wheeled vehicle
comprising: a chassis, a heat engine borne by said chassis, a
starter of said engine and at least one member for actuating said
starter, a control unit, a member for energizing at least the
control unit, said energizing member being able to switch from an
active state to an inactive state and vice versa, said vehicle
comprising a so-called economical operating mode in which, in the
activated state of the energizing member and in the started state
of the engine, the control unit is configured to allow the engine
to be stopped automatically, that is to say without actuation of
the energizing member, said stopping being called energized
stopping of the engine,
characterized in that the wheeled vehicle comprises a memory for
storing data relating to the number of starts of the heat engine of
the vehicle and in that the control unit is configured to, in the
economical operating mode of the vehicle, allow or prohibit the
energized stopping of the engine at least according to said stored
data.
The possibility of storing the number of starts of the engine makes
it possible to then associate this datum with other data to allow
or not allow the energized stopping of the engine, this stopping
being able to be applied automatically in predefined
conditions.
According to one embodiment of the invention, in the economical
operating mode, the control unit is configured to, in the energized
stopped state of the engine, start the engine without actuation of
the at least one member for actuating the starter. The vehicle is
therefore provided with a so-called automatic engine restart
functionality that can be applied in predefined conditions.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the wheeled vehicle
comprises a memory for storing data relating to the elapsed
energized time T of the vehicle since it was put into service, said
energizing of the vehicle corresponding to the active state of the
energizing member, and the control unit is configured to, in the
economical operating mode of the vehicle, allow or prohibit the
energized stopping of the engine at least according to said stored
data.
Thus, in this embodiment of the invention, preferably, the control
unit is configured to: calculate the number D of starts of the
vehicle since it was put into service over the elapsed energized
time T of the vehicle since it was put into service, compare the
result of the calculation with a stored predetermined threshold
value, and authorize the energized stopping of the engine at least
when the result of the calculation is below the stored
predetermined threshold value.
The result thereof is an absence of authorization of an automatic
stopping of the engine at least when, for example, the number of
starts per hour is greater than a predetermined threshold value.
However, it is possible in these conditions, for a vehicle which
accumulates a large number of operating hours for a low number of
starts, to have, over a short time period, a large number of
starts.
That is why, according to one embodiment of the invention, the
wheeled vehicle comprises a memory for storing each time value
relating to the elapsed energized time between two successive
starts of the heat engine and the control unit is configured to, n
being an integer number greater than or equal to 1. calculate the
sum of the last n stored time values with the time value relating
to the elapsed energized time since the current start, compare said
calculated value with a predefined threshold value, and, authorize
the energized stopping of the engine at least according to the
result of the comparison.
It is thus possible with this condition to avoid a very large
number of automatic stops and, consequently, of starts of the
engine accumulated over a very short time.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle
energizing member is a key disposed on the chassis, this key being
a rotary key that can switch by rotation from an inactive state to
an active state and vice versa.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the chassis is
equipped with a control station and the or at least one of the
members for actuating the starter is formed by a start button with
which said station is equipped.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle is a
cherry picker comprising: in addition to the chassis bearing said
heat engine, a platform, means for lifting the platform relative to
the chassis, said lifting means comprising at least one telescopic
or non-telescopic lifting arm disposed between a zone of connection
to the platform and the chassis and mounted to be movable using the
heat engine between a high position and a low position, a control
console borne by said platform and equipped at least with a control
of the lifting means, a member for activating/deactivating at least
the control of the lifting means, said activating/deactivating
member being mounted to be movable between an inactive position, in
which at least the control of the lifting means is deactivated and
an active position in which at least the control of the lifting
means is activated, said activating/deactivating member being
equipped with means for return to the inactive position, and being
able to switch from the inactive position to the active position
under the action of a thrust exerted on said
activating/deactivating member against the return means, and an
indicator of the active/inactive position of the
activating/deactivating member,
the control unit is configured to control the lifting means
according at least to the to data supplied by said control
console,
said cherry picker has two configurations, namely a transport
configuration and a working configuration, said cherry picker being
in transport configuration in low position of the arm and retracted
position of the arm in the case of a telescopic arm, and
in the working configuration of the cherry picker, and in the
economical operating mode, the control unit is configured to, in
the authorized state of energized stopping of the engine, control
the energized stopping of the heat engine at least according to the
data supplied by said indicator of the active/inactive position of
the member for activating/deactivating at least the control of the
lifting means.
Thus, in such an embodiment, the control unit is, in the authorized
state of the energized stopping of the engine, configured to
control the energized stopping of the engine at least if the
activating/deactivating member is in inactive position.
In this embodiment, in the working configuration of the cherry
picker and in the economical operating mode, in the energized
stopped state of the heat engine, the control unit is configured to
control the starting of the heat engine using the member for
activating/deactivating at least the control of the lifting means,
by switching the activating/deactivating member from the inactive
position to the active position, without actuation of the member or
members for actuating the starter. The result thereof is simplicity
of restarting.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit
comprises a presence determination module configured to determine
the presence or absence state of a person on the platform according
to data supplied by the control console and, in the working
configuration of the cherry picker, in the economical operating
mode, the control unit is configured to, in the authorized state of
energized stopping of the engine, control the energized stopping of
the heat engine at least according to said state determined by the
presence determination module. Thus, preferably, the control unit
is configured to control the energized stopping of the engine at
least in the state of presence of a person on the platform.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle comprises
an activatable/deactivatable member for controlling the cold
starting of the heat engine and a module for determining the
activated/deactivated state of said control member, this control
member being able to be activated by manual actuation, and being
able to be deactivated automatically, and, in the economical
operating mode, the control unit is configured to, in the
authorized state of energized stopping of the engine, control the
energized stopping of the heat engine at least according to the
activated/deactivated state of said cold start control member
determined by said module. Thus, preferably, the control unit is
configured to control the energized stopping of the engine at least
in the deactivated state of said cold start control member.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle comprises
at least one electricity generator, and a module for determining
the activated/deactivated state of said electricity generator and,
in the economical operating mode, the control unit is configured
to, in the authorized state of energized stopping of the engine,
control the energized stopping of the heat engine at least
according to the activated/deactivated state of the electricity
generator determined by said module. Thus, preferably, the control
unit is configured to control the energized stopping of the engine
at least in the activated state of the electricity generator.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the economical
operating mode is an activatable/deactivatable mode and the vehicle
comprises a member for activating and/or deactivating said
mode.
As a variant, the economical operating mode can be activated by
default, when the engine is started by actuation of the member for
actuating the starter.
Another subject of the invention is a method for optimizing the
stopping conditions of a wheeled vehicle comprising a chassis, a
heat engine borne by said chassis, a starter of said engine and at
least one member for actuating said starter, a control unit, a
member for energizing at least the control unit, said energizing
member being able to switch from an active state to an inactive
state and vice versa, said vehicle comprising, in the activated
state of the energizing member and in the started state of the
engine, a so-called economical operating mode in which the control
unit is configured to allow the engine to be stopped automatically,
that is to say without actuation of the energizing member, said
stopping being called energized stopping of the engine,
characterized in that the method comprises a step of storing data
relating to the number of starts of the engine of the vehicle, and
in that the energized stopping of the engine is authorized at least
according to said stored data.
According to one implementation of the method, the method comprises
a step of storing data relating to the elapsed energized time T of
the vehicle since it was put into service, said energizing
corresponding to the active state of the energizing member, and the
energized stopping of the engine is authorized at least according
to said stored data.
According to one implementation of the method, the method comprises
a step of calculation of the number D of starts of the vehicle
since it was put into service over the elapsed energized time T of
the vehicle since it was put into service and a step of comparison
of the result of the calculation with a stored predetermined
threshold value, the energized stopping of the engine being
authorized at least when the result of the calculation is below the
stored predetermined threshold value.
According to one implementation of the method, the method comprises
a step of storing each time value relating to the elapsed energized
time between two successive starts of the heat engine, a step of
calculation of the sum of the last n stored time values with the
time value relating to the elapsed energized time since the current
start, n being an integer number greater than or equal to 1, a step
of comparison of said calculated value with a predefined threshold
value, the energized stopping of the engine being authorized at
least according to the results of the comparison.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be well understood on reading the following
description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the
attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a vehicle, in this case a
cherry picker according to the invention in transport
configuration, some of the elements of the bodywork having been
eliminated to view the interior of the cherry picker;
FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of a platform of a cherry
picker according to the invention;
FIG. 3 represents a perspective view of a cherry picker according
to the invention in transport configuration with a detail view of
the control station with which the chassis is equipped;
FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of a cherry picker according
to the invention in working configuration;
FIG. 5 represents, in the form of functional blocks, some of the
elements of the cherry picker;
FIG. 6 represents a timing diagram illustrating the method for
calculating the elapsed energized time between two successive
starts;
FIG. 7 represents, in flow diagram form, a procedure for
authorizing energized stopping of the engine;
FIGS. 8a and 8b represent, in flow diagram form, a procedure for
authorizing energized stopping of the engine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As mentioned above, the invention relates to a wheeled vehicle 1
equipped with an automatic engine stop functionality. In the
example illustrated, the vehicle 1 is a cherry picker 1 allowing a
person to work at elevation, but the invention can be applied to
any type of wheeled vehicle without departing from the scope of the
invention. The vehicle 1 will therefore be called the cherry picker
1 hereinafter in the description.
This cherry picker 1 comprises a wheeled chassis 2.
This cherry picker 1 also comprises a heat engine 4 borne by the
chassis 2, an electric starter 5 of said heat engine 4 and at least
one member, in this case here two members 61, 62 for actuating the
starter 5.
In the example represented, the chassis 2 is equipped with four
wheels 33, of which at least two are generally drive wheels.
In fact, the cherry picker comprises means 3 for moving the chassis
2 over the surface of the ground using wheels 3. According to a
particular aspect, the heat engine 4 is linked to the wheels via a
transmission 25 to form means 3 for moving the chassis 2 on the
ground. It is also possible to provide for the electric starter 5
of said heat engine 4 and possibly said at least one member 61, 62
for actuating the starter 5 to form part of the moving means 3.
The heat engine 4 is thus linked to the wheels 33 by a transmission
25, preferably hydrostatic, which here comprises a hydrostatic pump
and hydraulic motors each associated with a so-called drive wheel
33. The detail of this transmission will not be described in detail
because such a transmission is well known to those skilled in this
art.
An electricity generator 20, such as an electric motor, can be
associated with the heat engine 4 and a module 21 for determining
the activated state of the generator can be provided on the control
unit 11 which will be described hereinbelow.
The electric starter 5 of the heat engine 4 is supplied by a
battery 15 that can be recharged via an alternator which can be the
electricity generator 20 described above when the heat engine 4 is
operating. An indicator 16 of the level of charge of the battery 15
is provided. This level-of-charge indicator 16 can be formed by a
member, such as a sensor for measuring the level of charge, that is
to say a charge or discharge characteristic or a voltage at the
terminals of the battery. Such measurement information can be
addressed to the control unit 11 described hereinbelow. As a
variant, this indicator 16 of the level of charge of the battery 15
can be formed by a module incorporated in the control unit.
The actuation of the starter 5 of the heat engine 4, in the sense
of a start of the heat engine 4, can be performed, in the example
represented, using either one of the two actuation members 61, 62
which, each time, take the form of a button whose depression makes
it possible to send an electrical signal to the starter. The
position of these actuation members will be described
hereinbelow.
The cherry picker 1 also comprises a platform 8 on which the
operator wanting to work at elevation can stand. This platform 8
which comprises a floor and a guard rail surrounding the floor is
equipped with a control console 10 equipped with controls 26 as is
known per se. The detail of this control console 10 will be
provided hereinbelow.
The cherry picker 1 also comprises means 9 for lifting the platform
8 relative to the chassis 2. These lifting means 9 comprise a
lifting arm 91 disposed between a zone 30 of connection to the
platform 8 and the chassis 2. This lifting arm 91 can be formed by
one or more arm section articulated to one another as in the
example represented. This arm can be a telescopic or non-telescopic
arm.
For the switch from the low position to the high position of the
arm, the cherry picker comprises a hydraulic pump 23 coupled to the
heat engine 4 and hydraulic actuators, in this case cylinders 22,
disposed between the arm and the chassis, and between the sections
of arm when the arm is in different sections.
These cylinders 22 are supplied with hydraulic fluid using the
hydraulic pump 23 via a hydraulic distributor 24, the displacement
of which is controlled using signals supplied from said control
unit 11 described hereinbelow.
Sensors 32 can be disposed at the cylinders and make it possible to
identify the position of the piston of the cylinder and
consequently the high or low position of the lifting arm 91. These
sensors 32 can also be disposed at each end-of-travel abutment with
which the arm is equipped and that embodies the low position of the
arm. The data from the position sensors 32 representative of the
position of the arm can be addressed to the control unit 11 which
will be described hereinbelow.
The low position of the arm, as illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the
arm is lowered to the maximum and folded down, and the platform 8
is situated in proximity to the ground, is called the transport
configuration of the cherry picker, while the high position of the
arm, as illustrated in FIG. 4, in which the lifting arm 91 is
extended and the platform 8 is away from the ground, is called the
working configuration of the cherry picker.
The position sensors 32 can therefore detect at least the working
configuration of the cherry picker 1 and address these data to the
control unit 11.
It should be noted that, in the case of a telescopic arm, the
transport configuration of the cherry picker corresponds, in
addition to the lowered position of the arm, to the retracted
position of the telescope.
The cherry picker 1 also comprises, as mentioned above, a control
unit 11. Said control unit 11 takes the form of an electronic and
computing system which comprises, for example, a microprocessor and
a working memory. According to a particular aspect, the control
unit can take the form of a programmable logic controller.
In other words, the functions and steps described can be
implemented in the form of a computer program or via hardware
components (for example, programmable gate arrays). In particular,
the functions and steps applied by the control unit or its modules
can be performed by instruction sets or computer modules
implemented in a processor or controller or be implemented by
dedicated electronic components or components of FPGA or ASIC type.
It is also possible to combine computing parts and electronic
parts.
When it is specified that the unit or means or modules of said unit
are configured to perform a given operation, this means that the
unit comprises computer instructions and corresponding execution
means which make it possible to perform said operation and/or that
the unit comprises corresponding electronic components.
This control unit 11 can receive input data and deliver output
data. This control unit 11 is configured to control the lifting
means 9, and preferably the displacement means 3, according to the
data supplied by the control console 10 disposed on the
platform.
In the example represented, the cherry picker comprises, in
addition to the control console 10, a control station 27 mounted on
the chassis and called ground control station 27. This ground
control station 27 makes it possible to assist an operator in
difficulty on the platform and perform operations on the cherry
picker without having to climb onto the platform 8.
The cherry picker 1 also comprises a member 7 for energizing the
control unit 11. This energizing member 7 can switch from an
inactive state to an active state and vice versa. This cherry
picker energizing member 7 here takes the form of an ignition key
disposed in the control station 27 of the chassis 2. This key is a
rotary key that can switch by rotation from an inactive state to an
active state and vice versa. The switch to active position of the
key ensures the energizing at least of the control unit 11.
This ground control station 27 is also equipped with one of the
members for actuating the starter 5 as described above. This member
61 for actuating the starter 5 is formed here by a simple start
button. This ground control station 27 can also be equipped with
arm and chassis movement control. The control unit 11 is also
configured to control the lifting means 9 and the displacement
means 3 according to the data supplied by the ground control
station 27.
This ground control station 27 is also equipped with an
activatable/deactivatable member 18 for controlling the cold
starting of the heat engine 4. This member 18 takes the form of a
button that can be activated by manual actuation and can be
deactivated automatically either beyond a predetermined activation
period, or when, for example, the temperature of the oil of one of
the hydraulic circuits such as the oil of the circuits of the
lifting means or of the displacement means reaches a predetermined
temperature.
This cold start control member 18 allows the operator to know when
the cherry picker 1 can operate optimally at the heat engine 4
level.
A module 19 for determining the activated state of the cold start
control member 18 is provided on the control unit 11. This module
allows the control unit 11 to have information relating to the
activated state of the cold start control member 18.
The control console 10 is equipped, for its part, with the second
member 62 for actuating the starter 5 of the heat engine 4. This
member 62 for actuating the starter 5 of the heat engine 4 can be
used, for example, in the event of a cold start of the engine or
after a stop triggered following the actuation of an emergency stop
button with which the console is equipped, the actuation of said
stop button generating the stopping of the heat engine and the
cutting of the supply to a large number of electrical members with
which the cherry picker is equipped.
The control console 10 also comprises one or more controls 26 in
the form of levers also called joysticks. It is understood that a
control can comprise several control members. The control or
controls 26 comprise a control of at least the lifting means 9
making it possible to control the lifting of the platform 8 using
the heat engine 4. Provision can be made for the control or
controls 26 to comprise only a control of the lifting means 9, or
even a control of the lifting means 9 of the platform 8 and a
control of the displacement means 3 for controlling the
displacement of the wheels. It is thus possible, from the control
console, to control only the lifting of the arm, or the lifting and
the displacement on the ground of the vehicle. The number of levers
can therefore vary. It is for example possible to provide a first
lever for the actuation of the lifting of the lifting arm 91, a
second lever for controlling the forward/reverse operation of the
wheeled chassis, and, in the case where the arm is mounted on a
swiveling turntable of the chassis 2, as in the example
represented, a third lever for controlling the rotation of the
turntable. All the movements of these levers can be measured by
transducers and supplied to the control unit 11 in the form of
electrical signals. As a variant, the second and third levers can
be eliminated.
As another variant, the control of the lifting means 9 of the
platform and of the ground displacement means 3 of the chassis can
be applied using one and the same lever.
The platform 8 also comprises a member 12 for
activating/deactivating at least the control 26 of the lifting
means 9 of the platform present on the control console. Hereinafter
in the description, for simplicity, reference is made to the
activating/deactivating member 12.
According to a particular aspect, said activating/deactivating
member 12 makes it possible not only to activate/deactivate at
least the control of the lifting means 9 of the platform, but also
to activate/deactivate the control of the ground displacement means
3 of the chassis when this control is present on the control
console.
This member 12 for activating/deactivating at least the control 26
of the lifting means 9 and, possibly, the control of the ground
displacement means 3 of the chassis when present, is mounted to be
movable between an inactive position in which the control or
controls 26 of the control console 10, that is to say at least the
control 26 of the lifting means 9 or at least the control 26 of the
lifting means 9 and the control 26 of the ground displacement means
3 of the chassis, are deactivated or inactive, and an active
position in which the control or controls 26 of the control console
10, that is to say, once again, at least the control 26 of the
lifting means 9 or at least the control 26 of the lifting means 9
and the control 26 of the ground displacement means 3 of the
chassis are activated or active. Deactivated should be understood
to mean that an action of the operator on the control or controls
has no effect, the control command not being transmitted to the
control unit 11. Conversely, activated should be understood to mean
that an action of the operator on the control or controls can be
transmitted to the control unit 11.
The activating/deactivating member 12 is equipped with means 13 for
return to the inactivate position and can switch from the inactive
position to the active position under the action of a thrust
exerted on said activating/deactivating member 12 against the
return means 13. These return means 13 can be formed by a spring or
by any other elastically deformable means.
In the examples represented, the activating/deactivating member 12
is a foot pedal borne by the platform 8. This pedal is disposed on
the floor of the platform 8 away from the control console 10 which,
for its part, is placed at operator hand height.
The operator can thus activate the pedal when his or her hands are
used for work at elevation. This pedal is equipped with an
indicator 14 of the active or inactive position of the pedal, the
position data of said indicator being transmitted to the control
unit 11.
This indicator 14 of the active or inactive position can be formed
by a simple contactor disposed on the pedal or by a transducer that
can measure the displacement of the pedal and supply an indication
of said movement of the pedal to the control unit in the form of
electrical signals.
As the above description illustrates, the control unit 11 can
therefore receive input data which can notably be either logical
starting, stopping, switching-off, switching-on or lifting
information, or measurements from sensors and transmit output data
which can be control instructions for the actuators, indicative
information, indicator lamps or the like, these input and output
data being dependent on the operating mode of the cherry
picker.
The cherry picker 1 comprises a so-called economical operating mode
in which, in the activated state of the energizing member 7 and in
the started state of the engine, the control unit 11 is configured
to allow the heat engine 4 to be stopped automatically, that is to
say without actuation of the energizing member 7, said stop being
called energized stopping of the engine 4. This energized stopping
of the heat engine 4, that is to say with the energizing member 7
remaining activated, makes it possible to retain a supply at least
for the control unit 11.
To allow the energized stopping of the heat engine 4 in this
economical operating mode, it is necessary, when this economical
operating mode is an activatable/deactivatable operating mode, that
this operating mode be activated. The activation can be done
automatically after energizing and before or after the first start
of the engine. It can also be controlled by the operator using a
button 34 situated in the bottom control station 27.
However, this activation/deactivation is dependent on the level of
charge of the battery and the economical operating mode can be
deactivated when the level of charge of the battery 15 supplied by
the level-of-charge indicator 16 is insufficient.
In the example represented, this economical mode can be activated
only in the working configuration of the cherry picker. In this
economical operating mode, the control unit is therefore configured
to provoke, in preestablished conditions, the energized stopping of
the heat engine 4. This control unit 11 is also configured to, in
the energized stopped state of the engine, provoke, in
pre-established conditions, a so-called automatic start of the
engine, that is to say a start of the heat engine 4 without
actuation of the member or members 61, 62 for actuating the starter
5 when the starter 5 comprises several actuation members as is the
case in the example represented.
In the example represented, the control unit 11 is configured to
control the starting of the heat engine 4 using the member 12 for
activating/deactivating the control 26 of the lifting means 9, that
is to say the dead-man's pedal.
To allow the engine to be stopped when energized, it is necessary
for the stopping of the engine to be authorized as FIGS. 7, 8a and
8b illustrate. To this end, the cherry picker 1 comprises a memory
28 for storing data relating to the number of starts of the heat
engine 4 of the cherry picker. The control unit 11 is configured
to, in the economical operating mode of the cherry picker, allow or
prohibit the energized stopping of the engine 4 at least according
to said stored data. The start information can be obtained either
using a sensor or voltage information taken at the terminals of the
electricity generator, also called alternator, associated with the
heat engine 4, or using information relating to the rotation of the
engine shaft, this information being able to be obtained using a
sensor positioned at the level of the engine shaft or of the shaft
of the electricity generator. The memory 28 can therefore thus
store a datum D corresponding to the number D of starts of the
engine of the cherry picker 1 since it was put into service.
The cherry picker also comprises a memory 29 for storing data
relating to the elapsed energized time T of the cherry picker 1
since it was put into service. This energizing of the cherry picker
1 corresponds to the active state of the energizing member 7. The
control unit 11 is configured to, in the economical operating mode
of the cherry picker 1, authorize or prohibit the energized
stopping of the engine 4 at least according to said stored data. To
obtain information relating to the elapsed energized time T of the
cherry picker since it was put into service, the cherry picker
comprises an internal clock equipped with a cell to operate
permanently. Time information can be supplied by the clock to the
control unit 11. This control unit receives, in parallel,
information relating to the actuation of the energizing member 7,
whether it be in the sense of a switch from the active state to the
inactive state or in the sense of a switch from the inactive state
to the active state. It is thus possible for the control unit to
calculate, from the time information and the information relating
to the actuation of the energizing member 7, the energized time T
of the vehicle since it was put into service. In practice, the
control unit is configured to: calculate the number D of starts of
the cherry picker 1 over the elapsed energized time T of the
vehicle 1 since it was put into service, i.e. the operation D/T
compare the result of the calculation with a stored predetermined
threshold value, and authorize the energized stopping of the engine
4 at least when the result of the calculation is below the stored
predetermined threshold value,
as the steps S1 to S7 of FIG. 7 illustrate. Thus, if the energized
time T is 1200 hours, and the number D of starts is 6000, D/T is
equal to 5, i.e. 5 starts per hour. If the chosen threshold value
corresponding to a number of starts per unit of time is equal to 3,
that is to say 3 starts per hour, then the calculated value (5) is
above the stored threshold value (3) and the energized stopping of
the engine is not authorized.
The steps S4 of counting of the time T, S5 of the counting of the
number D of starts and the step S6 of comparing the value D/T with
a predetermined threshold value are repeated until D/T is below the
predetermined threshold value to authorize the energized stopping
of the engine.
The cherry picker also comprises a memory 31 for storing each time
value relating to the elapsed energized time between two successive
starts of the heat engine 4. The control unit 11 is configured to:
calculate the sum of the last n stored time values with the time
value relating to the elapsed energized time since the current
start, compare said calculated value with a predefined threshold
value, and, authorize the energized stopping of the engine 4 at
least according to the result of the comparison,
n being an integer number greater than or equal to 1.
An example of implementation is described in FIGS. 6, 8a and
8b.
FIG. 6 illustrates the values t1, t2, t3, . . . tn that can be
stored in the memory 31. Thus, the timing diagram of FIG. 6
illustrates the state (started/stopped when energized/stopped when
not energized) of the engine 4 on the y axis and the time on the x
axis, the FIGS. 1, 2, 3 . . . to 30 each time illustrating a start.
Thus, from the start no. 1, the cherry picker is energized for a
first time period t1'. This time period t1' comprises a time period
during which the engine is started and a time period during which
the engine is stopped energized. The value counted at the end of
this first time period is stored temporarily. The energizing member
7 is brought to the inactive state and the time is then no longer
counted. As soon as the energizing member is once again in the
active state, the counting of the time is resumed without
interruption until the start no. 2 in FIG. 6 because the vehicle is
energized throughout this period t1''. The first counted time value
stored in the memory 31 is therefore the time value corresponding
to the sum of the periods t1' and t1'', t1'' corresponding to the
time which has elapsed between the energizing following the start
no. 1 and the start no. 2. This time value corresponding to the sum
t1' and t1'' is called t1.
After the start numbered 2 in FIG. 6, the engine operates for a
certain time period then is stopped energized for a certain time
until a start numbered 3 in FIG. 6. This period of energized
operation which elapses between the start no. 2 and number 3 is
represented by t2 in FIG. 6. The duration t2 of this time period is
stored in the memory 31 and added to the value of t1 corresponding
to the sum of t1' and t1''.
The method proceeds likewise for the subsequent starts. On each
start, the count is reset to calculate only the energized time
which elapses between two successive starts. Thus, the elapsed
energized time values of the cherry picker between two successive
starts are stored. This storage is applied only for the last n
values counted, n being an integer number greater than 1. Thus, in
the example represented in FIG. 6, n is equal to 30. On the start
31, the time value t30 corresponding to the energized operating
time between the starts 30 and 31 is stored and the value t1 is
deleted on the start no. 32. The storage is therefore applied in a
sliding manner to retain only the last n values stored and the
energized time value currently being counted and corresponding to
the energized time of the vehicle elapsed since the last current
start.
The sum of the n time values t1+t2+ . . . t30 thus calculated added
to the time value currently being counted is compared to a
predetermined threshold time value. If the calculated value is
greater than the predetermined threshold time value, the energized
stopping of the engine is authorized.
Thus, in the example represented, if the sum of t1 to t30 in
addition to the time value currently being counted is less than a
time which corresponds to the chosen threshold value, then the
energized stopping of the engine is not authorized. Once again, an
internal clock is used for the counting of the energized operating
time between two successive starts. The cherry picker therefore
comprises an internal clock for help in counting the energized
operating time between two successive starts. The time information
from the clock is addressed to the control unit in parallel with
the information relating to the starting of the engine and the
operation of the energizing member 7.
The steps S10 to S32 illustrate, in flow diagram form, an example
of this process. Thus, in the step S10, the cherry picker is
energized by actuation of the energizing member 7 and switching of
said member to active position.
In the step S11, the economical mode is activated by default and by
actuation of a button by the driver of the cherry picker.
In the step S12, the driver starts the engine using the start
button 62.
In the step S13, the counting of the energized time, that is to say
energized operation of the cherry picker, starts.
In the step S14, the engine is stopped. If the stoppage is not an
energized stopping of the engine, that is to say that the
energizing member 7 has been actuated to switch to the inactive
position, then the process goes on to the steps S16 to S18.
The counting is stopped in the step S16 until a new energizing
takes place in the step S17. This energizing of the cherry picker
is applied by actuation of the energizing member 7 which switches
to the energizing active position.
The counting of the energized time is then resumed in the step S18
to go onto the step S19. If the stopping of the engine is applied
when energized in the step S15, then the process goes directly to
the step S19.
From the step S19, the steps S20 to S24 are executed at least
once.
Thus, in the step S20, the engine is started and in the step S21
the count value of the energized time since the start applied in
the step S12 or in the step S20 of the prior cycle when a cycle of
steps between S20 and S24 has already been executed, is stored in
the memory 31.
In the step S22, the counting of the energized time is reset to
allow a new time value to be counted.
In the step S23, the engine is stopped.
Once again, in the step S24, there is a check as to whether the
stopping of the engine that has been applied is an energized stop.
If the stop is a stop when not energized, the count is stopped in
the step S25.
Once the energizing is applied in the step S26, the counting is
resumed in the step S27.
This cycle of the steps S20 to S24 with, possibly, the steps S25 to
S27 depending on the type of stop, can be repeated a certain number
of times.
In the step S28, an engine start is applied and in the step S29,
the counted value of the energized time of the cherry picker since
the start preceding the start applied in the step S28 is
stored.
In the step S30, the counting of the energized time is reset, that
is to say reset to zero to perform a new count from the start that
has just been applied.
A test is then performed in the step S31. In this test, the last n
counted values of the energized time are added to the counted value
of the energized time since the current start and the result of
this operation is compared to a predefined threshold value. Thus,
for example, if the value of the calculated time is greater than
the predetermined value, then the energized stopping of the engine
is authorized. Otherwise, it is prohibited.
It should be noted that the conditions: D/T below a predetermined
threshold value and sum of the last n energized time values counted
since the start with the energized time value since the current
start above a predefined threshold are generally cumulative
conditions. Thus, the stopping of the engine when energized is
authorized only if the two conditions are fulfilled.
In this economical operating mode, once the energized stopping of
the engine is authorized, the control unit is configured to, in
predefined conditions, control the stopping of said engine
automatically, that is to say without actuation of the energizing
member 7 by the operator.
The cherry picker therefore comprises means for establishing a
request to activate the energized stopping of the heat engine based
on vehicle stress criteria, and the control unit 11 is configured
to control this energized stopping when the request is established.
These stress criteria are chosen, as the description below
illustrates, from the non-exhaustive group comprising at least: a
criterion representative of the level of charge of the battery,
criterion representative of the deactivation of the cold start
control member 18, a criterion representative of the deactivation
of the electricity generator 20, a criterion representative of the
cherry picker in working configuration, a criterion representative
of the presence of an operator on the platform, a criterion
representative of the position of the activating/deactivating
member 12.
These criteria apply here cumulatively. However, the number of
criteria can be reduced according to the desired level of safety or
comfort. Thus, the criterion relating to the deactivation of the
cold start control member 18 and the criterion relating to the
deactivation of the electricity generator 20 can be eliminated.
The control unit is therefore configured to, in working
configuration of the cherry picker, in the activated state of the
economical operating mode, control the energized stopping of the
heat engine 4 at least according to data supplied by the indicator
14 of the position of the activating/deactivating member 12, the
control unit being configured to control the energized stopping of
the engine at least if the activating/deactivating member is in
inactive position.
Likewise, the control unit is configured to, in working
configuration of the cherry picker, in the activated state of the
economical operating mode, control the energized stopping of the
heat engine 4 at least according to the presence or absence state
determined by the presence determination module 17, the control
unit being configured to control the energized stopping of the
engine at least if the present state is detected. This presence
determination module 17 disposed on the control unit is configured
to check that the last instructions received for the control of the
engine or of the lifting arm originate from the control
console.
Optionally, the control unit configured to, in working
configuration of the cherry picker, in the activated state of the
economical operating mode, control the energized stopping of the
heat engine 4 according to the activated/deactivated state of the
cold start control member 18 of the heat engine, the control unit
being configured to control the energized stopping of the heat
engine 4 at least if the control member 18 is in the deactivated
state.
Finally, again optionally, the control unit is configured to, in
working configuration of the cherry picker, in the activated state
of the economical operating mode, control the energized stopping of
the heat engine 4 at least according to data supplied by the module
21 for determining the activated/deactivated state of the
electricity generator 20, the control unit being configured to
control the energized stopping at least if the electricity
generator 20 is in the deactivated state, that is to say
inactive.
Thus: if the level of charge of the battery is sufficient, if the
cold start control is deactivated, if the generator is deactivated,
if the working configuration is activated, if presence on the
platform is confirmed, and if the activating/deactivating member 12
is in inactive position, then the energized stopping of the engine
is controlled by the control unit.
Once the energized stopping of the engine is obtained, in this
economical operating mode, a start of the heat engine will be able
to obtained by activation of the member 12 for
activating/deactivating the control of the lifting means 9 without
actuation of the members 61, 62 for actuating the starter 5.
In practice, the driver of such a vehicle can therefore, once he or
she is on the platform of the cherry picker, manage the
functionality of energized stopping and energized starting of the
engine using only the member 12 for activating/deactivating the
control 26 of the lifting means, all the predefined conditions
above making it possible to authorize this stopping and this
starting in optimal conditions for good operation of the cherry
picker without premature wear of the engine or of the starter.
* * * * *